The Ilocos Times

How difficult can this technology be? That was my first question when I read that Japan has launched its first osmotic power plant in Fukuoka . If this is now operational in a highly industrialized country, what is stopping us from trying it here—especially when we already have the two basic ingredients: freshwater and saltwater. In a country made up of more than 7,600 islands, these two resources meet almost everywhere. This brings us to the classic dilemma: to make or to buy? But if Japan, through JICA , is willing to transfer the technology, then we neither make nor buy—we simply cooperate. And why compete with Japan anyway if they are willing to share their expertise? The real question is: Who in our government is actually in charge of technology transfer ? Is it the DOST ? Is it the DFA ? Or is it, as often happens, nobody in particular—which means nothing happens at all? Japan’s new osmotic power plant is an example of innovation grounded in simple natural processes. The ...

  OPERATIONAL REFORM. Linemen of Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) replace old electric posts in Laoag City in this undated photo. INEC on Friday (July 31, 2026) welcomed the call of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to revisit the Electric Power Industry Reform Act . (Contributed Photo) By Leilanie Adriano LAOAG CITY—The Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) has intensified its efforts to reduce system loss by strengthening power distribution management, curbing electricity theft, and upgrading its electrical infrastructure to improve service efficiency and reliability. In a letter addressed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. following his fifth State of the Nation Address , INEC general manager Cipriano Martinez III shared the ongoing operational reforms being undertaken over the past three years by the lone electric distribution utility here to reduce system losses. “We at INEC, hear you, Mr. President. As the electric cooperative of your home province, no...

WINDMILLS. Gigantic wind turbines occupy vast lands as seen in this undated photo in Barangay Caparispisan, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. More of these are being proposed in neighboring Bangui town. ( Lei Adriano) By Leilanie Adriano LAOAG CITY—A 136-megawatt wind farm project is being proposed for Bangui, Ilocos Norte, reinforcing the province's reputation as one of the country's leading renewable energy hubs. The proposed development, with an investment of around PHP8.4 billion, aims to harness the municipality's strong and consistent wind resources to generate clean electricity, supporting the Philippines' transition to renewable energy and helping meet the growing demand for sustainable power. In a press release, Luzon Cleanergy Generation Inc., a subsidiary of Aboitiz Renewables Inc., said the project is expected to cover 3,321 hectares across eight villages, including Payac, Bacsil, Malasin, Abaca, Nagbalagan, Masikil, Manayon and San Lorenzo. A public scoping...

  T he Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) convened the "Nuclear Workforce Educational Forum: A US-PH Exchange of Ideas" on June 11 at the University of Makati. The event is part of the Freedom 250 Lecture Series commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Program . Attended by representatives of the energy sector from Philippine higher education institutions, policymakers, and industry leaders such as AboitizPower and Meralco , the forum aimed to increase awareness and strengthen understanding of nuclear education and operations in support of workforce readiness for the country's emerging nuclear sector. In his opening remarks, PAEF Executive Director Julio Amador III emphasized the importance of nuclear energy to the Philippines and highlighted how the United States' decades of experience in developing a safe and regulated nuclear workforce can provide valuable lessons for the country's ...

The Philippines is becoming increasingly vulnerable to global fuel supply disruptions as crude oil imports become increasingly concentrated in the Middle East , while its power grid continues to face tightening reserves, according to a study presented by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). The findings come as the government moves to strengthen national energy security, including plans to establish a Strategic Petroleum Reserve . Presenting the findings of “How Energy Secure Is the Philippines?” PIDS senior research fellow Adoracion Navarro said the Philippines remains energy insecure despite improvements in energy efficiency. “The short answer to how energy secure is the Philippines—we are insecure,” Navarro said. The study assessed the country’s energy security across six dimensions that go beyond traditional measures: sufficiency, reliability, resilience, affordability, accessibility, and sustainability. It found that fossil fuels still accounted for ...

Are we missing something obvious here? For years now, the Philippines has been one of the world’s leading producers of seaweeds . But what have we done with this advantage? We’ve confined ourselves largely to food ingredients— carrageenan for ice cream and jellies , thickeners for toothpaste and cosmetics, and additives for processed goods. Nothing wrong with that. But have we considered that seaweeds could also fuel our future? India has. In fact, Indian innovators have already taken the lead in producing biofuels from seaweeds. A company called Sea6 Energy , founded in 2010 by young engineers from IIT Madras , is pioneering technologies to grow seaweeds in deep waters and convert them into “ biocrude ” using a process called hydrothermal liquefaction . This is essentially a fast-track version of what nature does to turn organic matter into fossil fuels, but instead of millions of years, it happens in minutes. Here’s the point: if India—with only 11,099 kilometers of coastlin...

Laoag City — Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos pledged her administration’s commitment to strengthening Ilocos Norte’s tourism and investment sectors as she delivered her first 100 days report, outlining the province’s continuing progress toward Ilocos Norte as a " greener pasture ." “Tourism is truly Ilocos Norte’s greatest beauty, and we are committed to taking it to new heights,” Araneta-Marcos said. In her report, the governor highlighted several milestones in the tourism sector, including Ilocos Norte’s PHP 6.5 million in sales and second runner-up Best Booth recognition at the 36 th Philippine Travel Mart . She also emphasized the uncovering of “hidden gems” in the province, such as the cascades of falls in Pasuquin and the mountain ranges in Solsona, as potential destinations. Visitor services at the Laoag International Airport have been improved to offer guests a “warm and seamless welcome,” she said. The provincial government of Ilocos Norte...

Houston , we have a problem. No—on second thought—it’s not just a problem. It’s a dilemma. Actually, let’s not kid ourselves. It’s both. So, what is it? We’re producing so much used cooking oil that if we’re not careful, it could be clogging our drainage systems—assuming, of course, that we have proper drainage systems in the first place. If we don’t, then it’s clogging whatever passes for a drainage system in many of our cities. The logical thing to do would be to collect this oil and recycle it. But here’s where the “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” part kicks in. If you do collect it, you could be accused of transporting hazardous waste and fined. If you don’t, you risk pouring it into our waterways, blocking pipes, causing floods, and polluting aquifers. Why? Because under Republic Act 6969—the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act—used cooking oil can be classified as hazardous waste. That means it’s subject to strict rules on collection, st...

  INEC GM Felino Agdigos speaks before the Laoag City council. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Dingras , Ilocos Note—The Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) is set resume disconnection operations in August 2020 for unpaid power bills for the months of March and April. It was during March and April where the national government declared an enhanced community quarantine in the country, including Ilocos Norte. INEC general manager Engr. Felino Herbert P. Agdigos stressed that the four-month grace period for the ECQ ends in August. “ Ket no saan da mabayadan ket isun to tay pinangiyuswat mi tay disconnection kasi napaot metten didiay a pawayway kadakwada ,” Agdigos explained. He disclosed that INEC will start with the disconnection on August 18, 2020 for unsettled bills during the ECQ. The disconnection operation will apply for both residential and commercial consumers.   Liwanag Pantawid program Meanwhile , Agdigos also announced...

By Bernardo B. Ver II Contributor LAOAG City —ZAK Green Energy Philippines plans to put-up a mini hydropower plant in Vintar, Ilocos Norte. The said project is set to generate electricity using water source from the river particularly at Brgy. Canaam in the said town using the modernized ‘diversion type hydro plant’.   From the water source, they will use large steel pipes down to the ‘Power House’ where the water turbines are located. The hydro plant can produce 12 megawatts (MW) of power that can cater to about 10,000 households near it. Atty. Jingboy Atonen, ZAK’s legal counsel said the project cost is more than PHP1.5 billion. The project’s completion will take up to five years, or in 2024 if it starts this year. The project’s design officer Engr. Warlito Ramos, meanwhile, assures that there will be no dredging activity in the area. Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Atty. Saul Lazo, however said he is worried about the hazardous effects of the s...